Henry Donnan was one of Australia's longest-lived Test cricketers and was three months short of his 92nd birthday when he died near Sydney on August 13, 1956. He was also connected to one of Australian cricket's greatest families: he married Syd Gregory's sister. Harry Donnan was a slightly-built man who relied on timing rather than power in his batting. Initially he was regarded as a bowler but an innings of 87 not out for New South Wales against an Australian XI established his credentials. He did not make his Test debut until January 1892 and was unsuccessful in that game and again at Adelaide, where he was a late replacement. However, he had a magnificent season in 1895-96 and was an automatic choice for the 1896 tour of England, where he played in all three Tests, though again not with much success - the highest score in any of his five Tests was 15 at Old Trafford. However, he made 167, his best-ever score, against Derbyshire, where his family originated. Donnan worked for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company for 42 years until he retired in 1923. His pension cost the firm dear, since he lived for another 33 years.Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

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